Helter Skelter Blu Ray Review (88 Films)

Helter Skelter (aKa ヘルタースケルター and Herutâ Sukerutâ) is a 2012 body horror film directed by Mika Ninagawa (XxxHolic, No Longer Human, Followers, and Sakuran). It was written by Arisa Kaneko (Sapuri, Rough, My Little Monster, 9 Border, An Incurable Case of Love, Tang, and Orange). It’s based on Manga from Kyôko Okazaki (River’s Edge, Chiwawa, and Georama Boy, Panorama Girl). It was produced by Mitsuru Uda (XxxHolic, Homestay, My Beloved Stranger, Followers, No Longer Human, Diner, and Walking Man). It grossed $25,066,699 worldwide during it’s limited theatrical run. Top model and fashion idol Lilico (played by: Erika Sawajiri from Shinobi: Heart Under Blade, Pacchigi!, Blood Gets in Your Eyes, No Longer Human, Ghost Train, and Shinjuku Swan) is used to being the centre of attention. She’s the living epicentre of her own universe and of a multimedia-saturated hyper reality in which everything is airbrushed and color-adjusted to accomplish perfection. When she begins to suffer traumatic side effects from her repeated illegal cosmetic surgery sessions. She discovers fame comes at a deadly cost, as she is plunged into a nightmarish world where her sense of self-image and identity begins to fracture!!!! Helter Skelter kinda reminds me a little of The Substance but without all of the gross side and special fx. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a body horror feature but it doesn’t go as crazy for the sacrifice of the ultimate perfection. It’s directed by veteran Mika Ninagawa but she was pretty new at the time when it came to filmmaking. She has some interesting projects so this is a nice addition to the resume. The former fashion photographer really knows how to visualize every scene in this experimental oddity. The screenplay delivers a slow descent into madness. The concept and the development grabs the attention of the viewer but it feels a little padded and dragged out at times. I personally think Helter Skelter is around 20 minutes too long but it’s still entertaining so it’s not boring but it could have had a much better flow to it. Lead actress Erika Sawajiri is the reason to experience Helter Skelter because she takes over everything in this as Lilico. There’s many different sides to her fragile existence. She’s confident to the public but behind closed doors, she’s a complete basket case. She lets her more famous boyfriend treat her like trash so she reflects that on her poor assistant as she manipulates and tortures the girl for her own unstable ego. The rest of the supporting cast includes Nao Ômori (Ichi the Killer), Shinobu Terajima (Caterpillar), Shô Aikawa (Zebraman), Gô Ayano (The Snow White Murder Case), Kiko Mizuhara (Attack on Titan), Hirofumi Arai (Psychic Kusuo), Anne Suzuki (9 Souls), Susumu Terajima (Fireworks), Kaori Momoi (Memoirs of a Geisha), Mariko Sumiyoshi (My Husband’s Girlfriend), Narumi Konno (Sakuran), Mieko Harada (Ran), Lily Franky (The Devil’s Path), Yumiko Hara (Helldriver), Fumiyo Kohinata (Outrage franchise), Yôsuke Kubozuka (Silence), Megumi (Liar Game), Junki Tozuka (Kamen Rider), Kôtarô Yoshida (Cube), and Yoh Yoshida (Cold Case: Shinjitsu No Tobira). It has all kinds of familiar faces from several other genre films. When I see the phrase Helter Skelter, I always think about Charles and The Manson Family right away but obviously this has nothing to do with it so it’s a bold title especially when it comes to horror. It’s all about the visuals here, it’s colorful cinematography and sharp production design stands out more than anything. It shows the terror of a glamorous life that always backfires. Corporate America plus society demand for a higher quality when it comes to influence and power. She’s a fashion model, television star, and she’s considered the most beautiful around until someone younger arrives to take it all away. This famous entertainer couldn’t stop the process of aging and side effects from suspicious medical procedures. The clinic has caused nightmares for it’s clients but they managed to bury most of it’s dirty secrets. Helter Skelter definitely takes it’s sweet time for everything but it’s still worth the wait. For being body horror, it’s not as gruesome or wild as you would think. It’s more psychological but it’s a tense and nerve racking atmosphere before it fully comes undone. It does have a good amount of sex and nudity with some gay undertones. I really enjoyed Helter Skelter but it needs the audience to let it all come together because it’s no non stop adrenaline rush. The twist ending left so many possibilities but it was extended more than it should have been. This is not your typical project directed by a female. Helter Skelter is refreshing and it’s not like everything else for the Japanese film community. It still hasn’t really got it’s proper respect or praise but this home video release should help It out especially with The Substance blowing up recently, RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from 88 Films! This 1080p (1.85:1) unedited and uncensored transfer is from a newer restoration but there’s not really any detailed information on it. Helter Skelter looks amazing, that is it’s major selling point. It’s a visual treat in every possible way. It’s damn near perfectly shot which almost never happens. It’s one of the best video efforts from 88 when it comes to their Asian sub-division. It has a variety of audio options which includes Japanese: DTS-HD 5..1 and Japanese: DTS-HD 2.0 tracks on the disc. The audio pops the most for it’s musical score and soundtrack. All of the dialogue is crystal clear, the insanity is elevated, and the music has big boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. It has an “Audio Commentary” with writers Tori Potenza and Amber T. They go over their original experience of seeing Helter Skelter for the very first time. They praise it and show it appreciation. They have a personal connection to it. They bring up how underrated it is and it taking forever to get an actual physical media release here after all these years. They mention with The Substance being popular, this should get a bigger following. They joke that it has nothing to do with The Manson Family. They go over the cast, the original manga plus it’s differences, Japanese society, the director, her family history/connections, the overall story, and so much more. They keep it going the entire time, it’s very informative and it’s packed with all kinds of stuff. It has the little over 6 minute “Interview” with director Mika Ninagawa. She said she was nervous making this. She said there’s more than a few similarities with the Lilico character and the real life Erika Sawajiri. She was the only one that could play this complicated role. She said it was hard to pull it off behind the camera but she did it all by herself. She brings up her photography background helping with this process. It’s in Japanese with English subtitles. It has the almost 6 minute “Interview” with lead actress Erika Sawajiri. She is nervous about this conversation and she’s not afraid to admit it. She chats about her character in this. She realizes how similar it is to her. She talks about her personal experience making Helter Skelter. She gives her blunt thoughts on the completed project and her honest reaction to it after seeing it for the first time. She brings up getting praise from everyone for it but she thought she could do better in certain scenes. It’s in Japanese with English subtitles. It has the little over 12 minute “Behind the Scenes Footage of the Making of Helter Skelter”. Lots of BTS stuff from the shoot while they are all figuring it out, variety of different scenes, and putting together this film. It’s in Japanese with English subtitles. It has the almost 11 minute “Japan Premiere Stage Greeting” press conference footage with various members from the production. They all promote and sell it to the crowd while saying a few things to hype it up. It has the almost 16 minute “Opening Day Stage Greeting” with a few important people from Helter Skelter. It’s kinda similar to the previous one. They all introduce themselves and they speak about it to the audience. It has the little over 5 minute “Taipei Film Festival Q and A” with an introduction from director Mika Ninagawa at a screening. She chats about adapting from her favorite manga and she goes over the concept for it. She gives them a heads up on a few things they are about to experience with it. It has almost 13 minutes of the “Original Rehearsal Footage” with a few cast members. It has the little over 2 minute “Stills Gallery”. It has the “Teaser” and “Trailer” for Helter Skelter. It comes with reversible artwork and a high quality 24 page booklet. It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!